Tiger Woods: Wife Elin 'Acted Courageously'

Tiger Woods is speaking out about the car crash Friday that set off a stream of rumors about his marriage to Elin Nordegren – and allegations that he cheated with a New York club hostess, Rachel Uchitel.

Speaking about the accident, which occurred just feet from the driveway of his Florida home, the golf champion, 33, wrote on his Web site Sunday: “This situation is my fault and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I’m human and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

As for the rumors, including speculation that he and his wife may have had a physical altercation following a report published in the National Enquirer that he had an affair, Woods demurred. “This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way,” he said. “Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.”

He continued: “The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.”

“This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin, our family and me. I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received. But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be.”

“I need an ambulance immediately, I have someone down in front of my house. They hit a pole,” the male caller told dispatchers. Asked if it was a car accident, the man responded: “It’s a car accident, yes.”

The caller said Woods, who is not identified by name on the recording, was not trapped in the car. “They are laying on the ground now. My neighbor, he hit the tree. I see him and he’s laying down,” the caller said, adding: “I cant tell right now [if he’s breathing].]”

In the background of the call, a woman is heard screaming, “What happened?” The caller responds, “We don’t know what happened. We’re trying to figure that out right now.”